Defense specialization and a blazing forest.

After some time, Maple had received both breaths to the point that no unfrozen ground remained around her, yet no matter how much she endured, she remained frozen solid.

Time-consuming though it was, the ability to create a battle with no chance of defeat was Maple’s strength.

Having absorbed every attack with her body and gathered all the required leaves, Maple stepped out of the frozen forest with quiet satisfaction.

“Phew… that was tough… but we’re clear now!”

The quest’s requirements did not include slaying a dragon. The creature would appear inevitably in the forest, and she might face it again in a future quest—but for now, she could ignore it.

Leaving the forest, Maple turned once more, glancing back as if to bid farewell, should she return someday.

What Maple saw in her eyes was not the icy breath of ice and water, but a moment of flames blazing fiercely through the frozen forest.

The flames subsided after a while. Yet the ice still clung to the trees, unmelted. This did not escape her notice.

"Is there another one...?"

She had only encountered dragons that froze the air. But a dragon that breathed fire without cause was not impossible. In truth, most dragons she had known before breathed fire. This kind that spat ice or water was rare.

Still, as she had heard from Sally and Yui, no such dragon had ever been spoken of.

"Perhaps something rare!"

She had been told she could explore freely. No one would reprimand her for returning to a place where the quest had ended.

Thus, Maple returns into the forest to verify the nature of the flame.

The fire had spread for only a brief time, yet its scale was undeniable. Maple scans the area, wondering what might be present. Before she locates any monster, she finds a player.

“Ah, Mii!”

“Maple! If you’re here too, that means the quest?”

“Yeah! It’s over, but I saw an incredible flame and thought something rare might be here, so I came back…”

“Ahaha, that’s me.”

“Of course. I thought it was a dragon breathing fire.”

The stronger her skills grow, the more phenomena she can produce that resemble those of monsters. Maple is often mistaken for a monster herself. Mostly because her appearance is identical to that of one.

The火力 has literally increased. No one else can attack such a wide area with just one skill from 【Maple Tree】, right?

I don’t know all the skills… but I’ve never seen anything like it before!

Iz’s area blast requires considerable preparation. Kanade might possess one or two such spellbooks, but they’re still disposable by nature.

The damage exceeds that of 【Machine God】. The flame burns across a surface, not a point—no gaps to evade. Perfect for forcing one’s strength upon an opponent.

Did you already defeat the dragon?

Not defeated, but after a while of exchanging fire, it fled. More of a repulsion than a destruction, I’d say.

Thanks to that, Mii shows the leaves she collected to Maple.

"Still impressive... I thought it would be hard to bring down, so I left it be."

"Isn't it harder to keep it intact?"

"Sometimes it freezes solid, but after a little while, it lets go. I managed to explore just fine!"

"Still impressive..."

If Mii tried to imitate that, she’d be forcibly returned to town without fail.

Each one must choose a method suited to their own style.

"What about you, Maple? What’s next? The quest seems finished."

"I’ve got a few others I’ve taken on. Thinking of heading to one of them!"

"Really? Which one?"

"Um..."

Maple speaks to Mii about the quests currently assigned to her. The types are limited, and since anyone can take them easily, it’s only natural—Mii has taken on the same quest as Maple.

If you're up for it, how about clearing a few together? It should be easier with two of us.

Sure thing!

Alright then, settled! I’ll bring out Ignis—get on and let’s go.

Yes!

Thus, the two set off through the sky toward their next quest destination.

It really is fast.

Shiroppu’s different—his ability to fly was set from the start.

Ignis, a phoenix, naturally flies through the air. Unlike Shiroppu, whose flight is an unnatural method, matching this speed would be impossible.

There are quite a few players who’ve taken a flying tamed monster as a companion. Some even waited until recently to join our guild just to get a monster that could fly.

Flying really is something special, isn’t it?

Flying gives an edge in combat. It moves freely over terrain. That’s why it’s so popular.

In the real world, one couldn’t fly so freely!

Haha, yes. That’s part of its appeal.

Time had passed since Maple had flown alone with Shiroppu. The sky had become well-explored, a domain of player movement.

A wall means nothing when you can fly over it. That’s an advantage in siege warfare.

—!

The members of the guild Flame Emperor’s Kingdom, who had only just secured their tamed monster, must have been waiting for moments like this.

If one can fly through the sky, the high walls surrounding the Town pose no obstacle. Players and monsters with flight abilities are far fewer than those fighting on the ground. Simply being able to strike at weak points makes them a threat.

"Still, it was a long wait. Another event and eight layers passed in between."

"Remarkable patience..."

"Then I hope the aim succeeds, all the more."

They continued moving toward the quest’s destination, exchanging updates on their recent circumstances.

"Is the [Maple Tree] located here now?"

"Probably. Someone might be checking the other side too."

"Still, we should see both sides at least once."

"What about you, Yui?"

"We haven’t decided yet. Besides, this time it seems the guild members might split apart."

"Really?"

Yeah. Though it’s not certain until it’s officially announced. You know, the emblem upon entry is assigned individually to each player, right?

That’s true…

If it stays that way, even members of the same guild could end up opposing one another.

Miyu said she’d let the guild members do as they please.

Of course, I won’t hold back just because we’re enemies. I’m the guildmaster after all. I can’t afford to lose.

If you’re as strong as Miyu, you’ll be fine.

Everyone in the guild is strong. Can’t let up… So, will it be all of us together in the end? Like with [Maple Tree]?

We haven’t discussed it yet, but I think that’s how it’ll turn out.

It’s a clean number for a party, and our teamwork’s already solid.

The vanguard to the rearguard, all present—each with sharp, distinct abilities, yet fitting together seamlessly, filling in what the others lack.

It would be harder to think of a reason to split them apart.

"Who would I end up with if I joined another guild?"

"That’s something we won’t know until we start."

"I hope I can be with Mii too!"

"Then I’ll have to guess which way I’ll go—try to predict it right."

"I’ll try my best!"

"Good luck. —We’re almost there. Hold on tight!"

"Yes!"

At Mii’s signal, Ignis began a slow descent, turning gently toward the ground.